Title

Author

Publication Date

10-18-2013

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Major Advisor

Dale D. Russell

Advisor

Brad P. Bammel

Advisor

Eric C. Brown

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of uranium in acidic aqueous environments with the express purpose of generating U(III) consistently is critically evaluated. Generating U(III) in an aqueous environment is difficult and extremely unstable and has historically been difficult to achieve and isolate for further investigation. The electrochemical cell, electrodes, supporting electrolytes, and pH’s are all reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of optimizing the systemic requirements to electrochemically generate U(III). Several new types of electrochemical cells to include two new spectroelectrochemical for UV-Vis and FT-Raman investigation were designed and tested for the purpose of analyzed the redox species of aqueous uranium generated while a reduction potential is applied to the cell. The new methodology developed demonstrated that U(III) could be generated electrochemically in the new cells and could be verified spectroscopically.